As 2022 is coming to a close, this is the time of year when I like to look back and see what my reading habits for the year were. I don’t keep strict track of what I read throughout the year, but as I mainly use my Kindle or Libby (I’m a big E-reader) they tend to keep a good track of the books I read. In 2022 I read just over 100 books, but…
Top Checkouts of 2022
As we wind down 2022, the Winter Haven Public Library is celebrating its most popular items of the year! If you’re looking for reading inspiration for 2023, be sure to add these items to your TBR list. Below, you’ll find the top 10 checkouts for our Adult, Young Adult, and Children’s Collections, as well as…
The Light Pirate
Jane’s Pick: The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton I really liked this tale of liminality. It is in the new genre I love: end of days speculative fiction with a touch of the magical and a message that is both depressing and hopeful – (examples: Station Eleven, Leave the World Behind, The Displacements) The Light…
Food-Inspired Books
Looking for a new novel to devour? Check out these foodie-based reads! Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala Get cozy with the latest book in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen mystery series by Mia P. Manansala, author of Arsenic and Adobo. Things are heating up for Lila Macapagal. Not in her love life, which she…
The Measure
Cori’s Pick: The Measure by Nikki Erlick I don’t usually use other people’s words here, but the “charming and thought-provoking” endorsement from magazine giant Marie Claire for this new debut from Nikki Erlick are PRECISELY the right words. Kudos Marie Claire, and thank you. One morning, no matter where you laid your head to rest,…
More Than You’ll Ever Know
Cori’s Pick: More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez I’ve said it before and I will say it again, debut fiction is the best fiction. I am always on the lookout for fresh new authors that are chomping at the bit to, quite literally, tell us their story. My most recent find is More…
Reprieve
Jane’s Pick: Reprieve by James Han Mattson Quigley House is an escape room designed like a haunted house – the twist is that it is full-contact – the actors, dressed in horror costumes interact and menace the contestants. Contestants are paired in groups of 4 and must use teamwork to get through all 6 cells…
The Swimmers
Jane’s Pick: The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka This book surprised me – I began the book thinking it would be a quirky book about a community swimming pool. And it is for a while, but then the book shifts to the personal and becomes a heartbreaking, poignant story about a mother fading into dementia and…
The Cartographers
Jane’s Pick: The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd What a magical little mystery – I loved this book! I had heard good things about it but purposely went into reading it knowing very little about the plot. Quickly, the writing drew me into the mystery – how can I resist historic public libraries, archives, and maps?!?…
15 Must-Reads for Women’s History Month
In honor of Women’s History Month, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite titles in our collection by and about women who have helped shape our history and have paved the way for future generations of women to come. Check out these 15 recommendations and find a new favorite today! The Agitators:…
The Staff Recommends... 